"Written in diary format by Vera, readers learn about the evacuation of the Aleut people from the Aleutian Islands during World War II. By focusing on a handful of fictional characters, Hesse tells of the hardships that the Aleuts endured when the Japanese occupied these islands near Alaska. The short prose poems reveal how the Aleutians suffered and readers also learn about their history and culture. Included are examples of poetic devices such as imagery, simile and alliteration."--Ministry of Education website.

English language arts grade 9 (2009).